NEW YORK – Mike Nebrich passed for 423 yards and four touchdowns and for the second-straight year Fordham defeated Sacred Heart in the first round of the FCS playoffs, rolling 44-22 on Saturday.

The Rams (11-2), who play at No. 1 seed New Hampshire next weekend, pulled away after the Pioneers (9-3) closed within 17-16 — the difference being a blocked PAT — late in the first half.

Nebrich connected with Tebucky Jones Jr. on a 1-yard score and Brian Wetzel for a 50-yarder to opening the scoring.

Wetzel, who had eight catches for 166 yards, had a 14-yard score to give Fordham at 24-16 lead at the half. Then Nebrich, the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, connected with Jones for a 97-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half. Jones had eight receptions for 139 yards.